Embalming-table



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

O. M. LUKENS.

- BMBALMING TABLE.

No. 325,550. Patented Sept. 1, 1885.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. GYM. LUKENS. EMBALMING TABLE. N0. 325,550. Patented Sept. 1, 1885.

1 U W I IWMWRW L NITED STATES FFlCEe PATENT EMBALMlNG-TABLE.

IEPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 325,550, dated September 1, 1885.

Application filed September 27, 1884. (Nomodehl To a-ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES M. LUKENS,

' of the city of Springfield, county of Clark, and

State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Embalming-Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to embalming-tables, and is intended as an improvement upon that class wherein the table is made in sections hinged together and adapted to be folded into a small space for convenience in transportation and storage.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap and substantial embalming-table, capa ble of being adjusted to different positions to suit the subject, and to so construct the said table that the foot and head portions may be adj usted to different inclinations independent of and with relation'to one another.

Another object of my invention is to so construct the embalming-table that a portion of the same may be extended out to adapt the table to subjects of different lengths, which is a great desideratum, as it obviates the necessity of a separate table for different-length subjects.

My invention consists in the combination, with the frame-work and seat of an embalming-table, of bodysupporting sections adapted to be adjusted to different inclinations with relation to each other, and at different distances apart, and an independently-adjustable seat, substantially as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

It also consistsin certain details of construc tion, hereinafter more fullyset forth.

Figure 1 represents in perspective view an embalming-table constructed in accordance with my invention, the body-supporting sections being shown at different inclinations to each other, the dotted lines showing one of said sections as extended forward to lengthen the table. Fig. 2 is a partial plan view of the said table, the upperbody-supporting section being extended out and the concavcd seat being at a point nearly central between the two sections. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section on dotted line a a', Fig. 2, one of the bearingcaps being shown as open; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the einbalining-table closed up; Figs. 5 and 6, details of the slidinglock, which supports one of the supportingsections in its normal or horizontal position between the sills of the frame.

The framework, which consists of the two frame-sections A A, hinged together at a, the supporting-legs B B, their cross-bars I), and the supporting braces O, which are all hinged together, is and may be of usual or any suitable construction. Theframe-sections consist of the side and end sills joined together, as shown in the drawings.

Interposed between the side and end sills of section A, and pivoted thereto by means of the rod or trunnion d, having bearings in the side sills, is a body-supporting section, D, said section preferably consisting of a frame-work covered with canvas or other suitable material. The said section D is provided with openings .d at its forward end to allow the section to be lowered and clear thelegs B of the frame-work.

Upon the inside of the side sills of the section A,and connected thereto,are sliding bolts E, which bolts engage with the frame-work of the supporting-section D, as shown in the drawings, to hold. the said section rigidly when in its normal horizontal position, said bolts also acting as an additional support for the said section, a button pivoted to the end sill and engaging with the section D also acting as asupport for the said section when in a horizontal position. i

The side sills of the frame-section A are provided at a desired place with a series of journal bearings or notches, f, which receive and hold a shaft, f, (or trunnion,) hinged to the body-supporting section F, said section being provided at or near its opposite end with racks f 2 pivoted thereto, the teeth of said racks engaging with a rod, G, connected to the two side sills of the section A, said racks acting as a support for and determining the inclination of the supporting-section F.

As will be noticed in the drawings, the body-supporting section F may be extended forward more or less, to lengthen the support, by simply changing its bearing in the side sills of the fl'ttlllfiSCClilOll A from one notch to the other, a cap, f, being provided to retain its shaftf in place. The cap f will preferably be made of metal and be hinged to the side sill, as shown in the drawings, it'being held in place by a hook engaging with a pin. This,

however, may be aceomp ished in various ways, as also may be the extension ofthe section F. Therefore I do not desireto limit myself to any special construction of the mechanism for accomplishing this or the mechanism for regulating the inclination of the supporting-sections.

Interposed between the body -supporting sections D and F, and sliding on a cleat connected with the side sills of the frame-section, is a seat, H, said seat being slightly eoncaved on its upper face, and being adapted to slide more or less in the direction of the length of the table when the sections D F are more or less separated to accommodate itself to the body upon the table, and prevent said body sliding when raised at the head and lowered at the foot, which would be the case were the seat H fiat instead of concaved.

By this my improved embalming-tablelam enabled to quickly and readily change the position of the subject, as is often necessary, to allow the blood in the body to flow from one place to another and when different operations are being performed.

If desired, the body-supporting section D may also be provided with a toothed rack and be capable of adjustment similar to the adj ust ment of the section F.

Spring-catches may be used instead of the sliding bolts E.

I am aware that embalmingtables have been made provided with adjustable head-rests; and I am also aware that invalid-bedsteads and surgical operating-tables have been made with the body, head, and foot or leg portions having facilities or capabilities of varying adj ustnients.

1. An embalming-table comprising a folding frame, A A, having folding legs B B, independent body-sections D and F, and means to adjust them vertically and longitudinally with relation to the frame, and an independentlyadjustable seat, substantially as described.

2. An embalming table provided with a frame-work and seat, and with hinged bodysupporting sections adapted to be inclined at different angles with relation to each other, and extended out to lengthen the support for the body, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination, with asectional hinged frame-work, of aseat and body-supporting sections independently hinged by trunnions to said frame-work and adapted to be inclined at difl'erent angles with relation to each other, and extended out to lengthen the support for the body,and means to support such body-supporting sections in their adjusted positions, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a seat and the frame-section A, provided with a series of journal bearings or notches in its side sills, as shown, of the body-supporting section F, provided with a shaft or trunnions to engage said journal bearings or notches with atoothed rack.

adapted to engage a rod extending from one side sill to the opposite sill of the frame-seetion A, and adapted to be inclined more or less, as desired, and to be extended out by shifting its shaft or trunnions from one of the said j ournalnotches to the other, substan tially as described.

5. The combination, with an embalmingtable provided with adjustable body-supporting sections, as described, of an independent sliding seat located between the two bodysupporting sections and adapted to be adjusted in the direction of the length of the table to accommodate itself to the body resting thereon, said seat being concaved upon its upper face,

' substantially as and for the purpose described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Springfield, Ohio, this 20th day of September, A. D. 1884.

CHARLES M. LUKENS. [L. S.]

In presence of OHAsE STEWART,

N. E. O. WHITNEY. 

